Residents worried after smoke billows from Bridgeton landfill

BRIDGETON, MO (KTVI) – There were tense moments for residents who live near the Bridgeton landfill Sunday morning. A fire broke out in the southwest corner of the dump due to a broken methane gas pipe. Technicians who monitor the facility 24-7 put out the fire, but failed to call first responders. “I don’t know what happened or what their thought process is. I can only tell you we were not notified the way we should have been,” said Matt Lavanchy, Pattonville Assistant Fire Chief.

Residents concerned about their safety called 9-1-1 and Bill Otto, their state representative to report the fire.

The Bridgeton Landfill, LLC released a statement saying “As part of our investigation into the origin of the surface fire, we will conduct an after-action review of the entire incident to include notification of and coordination with first responders. The EPA was on site at the time of the incident, and Pattonville Fire Department was early onto the scene, consistent with the response plan. We appreciate everyone’s coordination and prompt response this morning.”

A subsurface fire has been burning deep within the landfill for some time. Concern has grown about that fire over recent years, as residents have learned of radioactive waste buried at the adjacent West Lake Landfill.

Missouri Department of Natural Resources officials have been asked to respond to the scene to monitor the situation.